Effectiveness Planning Boards at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

The effectiveness planning boards of planning boards has grown since 1940 both in influence with politicians, who are responsible for the management of cities, and in legal fact. Court decisions in favor of zoning, of housing, and of parking authorities, and recently of redevelopment acts (to be discussed later) have given them increasing power over a widening sphere. On the social side the so-called neighborhood concept has been one of the chief developments. This idea was first clearly formulated by Clarence Perry and is based on planning neighborhoods within existing communities, each neighborhood to be centered around the school and to consist of a population large enough to support it.

The weakness of subdivision control is that it controls neither the amount nor the location of subdividing. The abuse of this privilege by irresponsible speculators has resulted in literally hundreds of thousands of lots being thrown on the market, remaining unsold, and eventually becoming tax delinquent. Planning boards, in general, derive their authority from the local legislative body within the framework of a state enabling act authorizing municipalities, and sometimes counties, to create such boards. They are appointive ; the members are unpaid, except in New York City. To be at all effective, there must be a paid staff of men trained in the field of professional planning. If the board becomes politically objectionable, funds are withheld and the board becomes inoperative.

To help find small nails and tacks left in floorboards, slip an old nylon stocking over your hand and run it lightly over the boards. To check if the boards are uneven, lay a straight batten across the run of the boards. Pull the curtains or turn out the lights, then shine a flashlight behind the batten. Light will shine through where the boards undulate. Where the boards are badly worn, try lifting them and turning them over instead of buying new ones.